Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes review

On paper, there should be a lot to like about the Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes. Inspired by cross country skiing boots, the Gore-Tex outer is designed to be windproof, waterproof, and breathable, while beneath this there is a dial for adjustment, a composite sole, and plenty of insulation for even more warmth.

If you are not sure where to start with footwear on a bike, head over to our buyer's guide to the best cycling shoes for all you need to know and to get a better idea if these are the perfect pair for you. 

And on a few of these points at least, the Mavic's Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes fulfil their brief superbly.

The outer really is the highlight of the package. It ticks all the boxes, protecting you from the wind and rain and keeping your feet nice and toasty when combined with the layer of insulation that lies beneath.

If shoes are on a long list of upgrade items for riding in the rain, our page that gives 11 tips for cycling in the rain will give you a better idea on how to dress for wet weather cycling.

The composite sole of the Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes is also pretty good. Ok, so you’re not going to be racing in these shoes any time soon, but you don’t feel like too many watts are being wasted through the sole, and the bit of flex on offer does mean added comfort during the course of long winter rides.

Watch our complete guide to winter cycling clothing

In wet conditions, however, comfort is not the first word that springs to mind when talking about the Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes. Although the outer is completely waterproof, it is undermined by the ankle gusset, which is nowhere near tight enough, particularly if, like me, you suffer from skinny leg syndrome.

Just riding along in the saddle it sits snug against your leg, doing a good of keeping your feet dry, but as soon as you point your toes downwards while riding out of the saddle a gap appears at the front of your leg, allowing water to run down into the shoes.

And just to make matters worse, because the shoes are designed to be waterproof, there’s nowhere for the water to escape, meaning that it will just slosh around at the bottom of your shoes for the rest of the ride.

If this sounds all too familar for the rest of your kit, especially when it comes to keeping your upper half warm and dry, our buyer's guide on the best winter cycling jackets is the best place to start when building up your cold weather clothing armour. 

The other problem I found with the Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo shoes is that the single dial was not enough to keep my feet securely in place. This meant that I found my feet moving around inside the shoes, meaning a loss of power. These shoes would be vastly improved by the addition of a second dial or a Velcro strap in the next generation.

To end on the a positive note the Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo are available in a wide range of sizes (from 36 to 48.5) and are relatively inexpensive compared to other winter shoes on the market. Ok, £135 is still a lot of money to be spending on a pair of cycling shoes, but seeing as most other winter shoes are £30-40 more expensive, the Mavics offer half-decent value if it’s warmth that you’re after.

For more details visit the Mavic website.